Where To Stay In Tuscany – Our Top Pick To Become A Tuscany Insider

Ah, Tuscany! Is is most probably one of the most recognized regions in Italy. A region that bursts with rolling hills, poppy fields in the spring, sunflowers at the end of summer, picturesque vineyards and delicious wine tasting, Renaissance art, and rustic charm. If you’ve ever daydreamed of sipping a glass of Chianti while watching the Tuscan sunset, you’re in for a treat! Figuring out where to stay in this Italian paradise can be exciting and overwhelming. But fear not, dear traveler! This blog will immediately take you to our top pick for where to stay in Tuscany, Italy.

The Secret’s Out – Our Top Pick For Staying in Tuscany is Casa Moricciani in Castelmuzio

We have stayed in this villa on three different occasions. Casa Moricciani is our happy place. Not only do we recommend it to anybody who asks, but we have also taken our best friends there on two occasions. Together, we had some of the best vacations ever in this villa.

How Did We Find This Perfect Accommodation?

Crowds are not our thing. It is natural for us to try and find places that are off the beaten path or in smaller villages. I searched for luxury accommodation off the beaten path, hopefully with little crowds and just a place where you can connect with yourself and your travel companion. I found Casa Moricciani and with a description that said “A Villa of Discreet Charm to Discover Hidden Tuscany,” it sounded like the perfect spot.

Our Dream To Connect With Locals Where Ever We Go

When Johan and I travel, we always try to connect with the locals. In some cities and countries, it is easier than in others. Isabella (from The Isabella Experience) and her family own this beautiful property, and staying here gave us the opportunity to connect with locals, specifically through her “Dolce Vita” experience / program where you get to meet local farmers and artists.

When do you know that the dream is fulfilled? When you walk in the neighboring town of Pienza, and guess what? You see a guy on a bike, a local, and we knew him! Carlo, is only one of the locals we got to know over the years. Learn more about other opportunities that Isabella gave as part of the Isabella experience below.

What Made This Tuscan Villa So Special?

The People

“It is better to give than to receive.” When I think of this family, they embody this. The first year we stayed in the villa, we learned about things they do behind the scenes without much hoopla. They refurbished the old bathroom in the town at their own cost, and now tourists can stop in Castelmuzio and, if needed, use clean working toilets. They paved and area next to the villa and added tables and chairs so that the elderly population had a spot to rest and meet. Sometimes, people put fruit or vegetables on the tables, free for anybody to take. The list of examples goes on.

Supporting slow travel, and sustainable tourism

Isabella from The Isabella Experience is the mastermind behind the villa and the connection with the locals.  I love how Johan says she “really understands everything about tourism and how to make each traveler feel special.”  She has immaculate taste, and this can be seen in the small details in all her properties. She also supports slow travel and sustainable tourism. Her understanding of the vital role the local farmers play in the success of a region provides an excellent opportunity for the traveler to taste the freshest produce or to meet the farmers in person. But it also provides additional income for the local farmers and artists.  

I can write 20 pages of extraordinary things Isabella did for us, but I will only mention one.  When we did last-minute travel with a family of 14, Isabella could not accommodate us all as her villas were fully booked. She did offer to host us all in the lovely dining room at La Moscadella. They prepared special tables for us. We sat in the main dining room with our children while the children-in-law cared for the grandbabies in an adjoining room.  Allowing us to have a world-class meal at their farm-to-table restaurant La Cucina. We even got to meet the chef after dinner in the state-of-the-art kitchen. Thanks, Isabella; this will forever be a favorite memory of you.

The Man Behind The Olive Oil, Delicious Wine And The Grill Master

Carlo is the olive oil maker extraordinaire.  He was also the first person to make us taste olive oil, I never thought I would sit down to sip oil. I only remember 10% of what he taught us, but we learned so much from him, and we love to quote some of his sayings with friends and family.  We can’t wait for the yearly newsletter to say that the olive oil is ready. This has become a great Christmas gift under the tree for our family. Carlo is also responsible for the lovely wine stocked in the villa.

Let Language Never Be A Barrier For You – Luciano Set The Example

We love Luciano. He cannot speak a single word of English, but at night he will show up with a bottle of grappa, some glasses, and a translator application. Luciano would then sit and visit and tell stories; what a treat. He loves his farm, and we had the opportunity to see the cellars where he age his wine and his hams. Luciano told us if we touch the Vinsanto barrel, we will be back…and so we have. We must have rubbed this barrel to a shine as we have returned so many times.

The Chef With The Big Heart, Sharing His Family “Yeast Starter” – Giancarlo Propedo

When we first met Giancarlo, 7 years ago, he came to our villa for a cooking class. This cooking class is still the top cooking class we ever took. Giancarlo also gave us a yeast starter that has been in his family for 88 years.  It is now 95 years old, and I use it at least twice a week to make bread.  I plan to write a blog on this cooking class and this special chef. We cooked Tuscan favorites using top quality, locally sourced produce presented in a way that makes your nose tingle and your mouth water when the plate is put in front of you.

The Ladies That Make Sure You Have Everything You Need

The office staff is terrific. They answer all your questions and go the extra mile to make you happy.  No matter how busy they are, they find a moment to connect. Carlotta was the first of the office staff we met 8 years ago. Her perfect English, her great sense of humor, and her local knowledge made us feel at home. The team of remarkable women has changed over the years, but the quality of service has not. Alessandra is prompt to answer emails and knowledgeable about Tuscany; she is such a pleasure to work with. With office staff of this high caliber, you feel at home with your first interaction and feel like family by the time you leave.

Isabella Calls Them Fairies, I Call Them Magic Makers

The villa is spotless, and everything shines with Sabrina leading the cleaning team. I was blown away by leaving our dirty laundry to receive it back, cleaned, and packed in a basket with a ribbon and a flower. When was the last time your cleaned laundry was delivered back to you like that? Never!

Luxury Accommodation in a Tuscan Villa

The utter luxury was evident in everything in the villa, from the high-quality linen to the organic shampoos and beauty products. The lovely fresh produce is only outshined by the beautiful red stove in the kitchen. If I could, I would pack that stove in my carry-on. We loved the Delongi Prima-Donna coffee machine, sitting outside looking over the valley sipping coffee, and eating Isabella’s panecotta is a treat that is hard to describe if you have not experienced it yourself. Below is a view from the porch.

Flowers on the bed and in the villa is just another example of the little things that make such a difference.

Where Is This Tuscan Villa Located? (Where To Stay In Tuscany)

Casa Moricciani is located inside the old walls of the historic center of the medieval hamlet of Castelmuzio. Beautiful landscapes, wineyards, and architecture surrounds the area. It is less than 10 miles from Pienza. Pienza is considered one of the most beautiful places in Tuscany. Pienza is a small Renaissance city that is well worth visiting. Castelmuzion is also near Siena, in the middle of the famous Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How Did We Get To Casa Moricianni?

We got a rental car at the airport, which allowed us to drive through the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Yes, I am in love. I am in love with the wonderful man who has given me so many things in life; I am in love with Tuscany and the Italians, the gelato, the wine, the bread, but not so much the crazy driving.

Day Trips In Tuscany

Isabella’s attention to detail and focus on ensuring the guest has the best experience was evident in the travel guide in each villa. “Discover Hidden Tuscany” Travel Guide Book focused on helping you plan day trips from your front door you quickly encounter the Tuscany of your dreams. The new revised Travel Guide will not include these turn-by-turn directions in a world teeming with technology and map software readily available. However, you can still use Google Maps as a handy companion to plan the ideal day trip from the villa, ensuring you don’t get lost. Then again, getting lost in Tuscany is hardly a problem. Just stop, take in the views, get a glass of wine, and relax. Spend some time with the locals, and maybe they will help you guide you to your next perfect stop. Become a Tuscan insider, don’t rush to the next stop.

How Do You Become A Tuscany Insider? What People Will You Meet?

The best way to become an insider in Tuscany is to stay at one of Isabella’s Villas. Sign up for the Dolce Vita Packet, and have the time of your life. Below is a collage of some of the locals we met.

• Antonella is the best tour guide in the region. She has the most fantastic sense of humor and knows the area inside out. We did two Sienna tours with her, and they were different each time. I also think Johan, Bennie, and Fafa are a little in love with her and her red coat.

• Meet Valerio, our favorite leather crafter. Read more about him on this blog.
• A cooking class with a Roberto Rossi in his restaurant Celine

• Others include: a local cheese farmers
• Run with the dogs and truffle hunter from the neighboring town
• Isabella, the painter
• Linda, the potter in Pienza
• The best wine tour at Nostra Vita (I’ll write a whole blog about them)
• Learn to make pasta with the locals
• Visit the old Tuscan caves
• Wine tours hand-selected by Isabella
• And the list goes on.

Conclusion

If you want a luxury vacation in Tuscany, look no further. Become a Tuscan insider and meet the people that make Tuscany special. Our top pick for the region is Casa Morricciani, don’t wait book your trip.

Let’s embark on this sun-soaked journey together!

We wrote this recommendation based on our love for the place. We have not been asked to write it or paid to write it. It is trying to give back to this woman and this place that has made a difference in our lives.